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Neil M. Thomas, PhD
My research goals are firstly to discern why older adults exhibit behaviour indicative of a reduced ability to accommodate and/or adapt to their surroundings (e.g. in the context of falls risk), and secondly, to generate evidence-based guidance on appropriate use and design of older adult spaces to optimise safety and comfort. I employ a human-centred and data-driven approach that leverages state-of-the-art in psychology, human perception, eye tracking, and biomechanical modelling.
Education
PhD, Visuomotor Neuroscience
University of Lancaster
Lancaster, UK
2017 - 2014
- Thesis: The effects of eye movements on postural control.
- Supervisors: Drs. Theodoros M. Bampouras & Susan Dewhurst, Prof. Tim Donovan.
- Disseminated results in 3 scientific papers (first-author), see “Publications”, several conferences, see “Conference Proceedings”, and the local news.
- Won Research Project of the Year award at host institution.
BSc, Sports and Exercise Science (First-Class Hons)
University of Cumbria
Lancaster, UK
2014 - 2011
- Published dissertation in scientific paper (first-author).
- Completed and published outcome of NHS Service Evaluation, received runner-up poster prize at NHS Research and Innovation Showcase.
Professional & Research Experience
Product Specialist & Research Consultant
Pupil Labs GmbH
Berlin, DE
Present - 2020
- Software development: Artificial pupil detector, IMU fusion algorithm, Network API tutorials (e.g. network/device synchronisation), customer support (e.g. code snippets).
- Writing: Online documentation and tutorials, research digest blog.
- Product training, tailored research consultancy.
- Regularly use Python and Git
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2020 - 2017
- Project: Looking in the right places to prevent stair falls in older adults, supervised by Prof. Mark A. Hollands.
- Collected and analysed movement and perception of older adults negotiating stairs to study the links between visual sampling, fear of falling, and biomechanical indicators of falls risk.
- Completed battery of cognitive and physiological assessments to classify higher and lower-ability groups.
- Leveraged cutting-edge eye tracking and motion capture, regularly implemented Python and R.
I have developed and implemented numerous technical solutions to support my research aims, and I am a regular contributor to open-source projects. View my work here.
Teaching & Mentoring Experience
I attended teacher practice training whilst employed at Liverpool John Moores University, where I subsequently obtained an Associate Fellowship of Advance HE and SEDA Supporting Learning Award.
Guest Lecturer: Biomechanics Research (level 5)
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK
Present - 2021
- Delivery of a yearly guest lecture on wider Biomechanics research, drawing on own scholarly work to deliver research-led teaching and learning.
PhD Co-supervisor
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
Present - 2018
- Co-supervision of a PhD student in the laboratory of Dr Richard Foster
Teaching Support Officer: Cognition, Motor Control, 2D & 3D Motion Capture (levels 4–7)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2021 - 2019
- Organised and delivered lectures and practical seminars incorporating demonstrations, problem-based learning and informal assessments/feedback to groups of 6–40 students.
- Module content developed in collaboration with senior staff members, using relevant pedagogical literature, ensuring learning outcomes were met for curriculum.
Mentor/Supervisor
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2020 - 2018
- Trained several junior team members in laboratory techniques (e.g. eye tracking, motion capture, hardware synchronisation) to ensure competence.
Teaching Support Officer: (level 6)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2018 - 2017
- Supervised final year project data collection in visuomotor control.
- Trained placement students in groups of 3–6 how to evaluate methods of assessing visual perception.
Hourly Paid Lecturer: Advanced Research Methods (level 6)
University of Cumbria
Lancaster, UK
2017
- Organised and delivered content in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including study design and statistical analysis, to approx. 30 students.
- Marked final year formative written assessments and poster presentations.
Honorary Academic Appointment(s)
Visiting Researcher
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
Present - 2020
Grants and Awards
With the support of Prof. Mark Hollands, I am developing a collaborative funding application (following a successful expression of interest) to the Dunhill Medical Trust as Principle Investigator. The proposed research aims to take a data-driven approach to evaluate how older adults interact with their living spaces, and to effect home modifications using cutting-edge CAD tools to evaluate design incorporating biomechanical and human factors.
Dunhill Medical Trust: PI Suitable Living Environments
200,000 GBP (outcome pending)
Liverpool, UK
2021
- Optimising older adult living spaces for comfort and safety
Research Project of the Year
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK
2017
Runner-up Poster Prize
Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust Research and Innovation Showcase
Preston, UK
2013
Invited Lectures/Seminars
Looking in the right places to prevent stair falls in older adults
Liverpool John Moores University: Sandbox Seminar Series
Online
2021
Visuomotor control of locomotion
Pupil Labs: Research & Development Seminar
Online
2021
Modifying the appearance of stairs to reduce falls risk in older adults
Lancaster University: Health and Ageing Seminar Series
Lancaster
2019
Selected Science Writing
I enjoy producing content for non-peer reviewed science communications, such as research digests and magazines.
Eye tracking reveals altered gaze characteristics in children with developmental coordination disorder1
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2021
Augmented visualization cues on primary flight display facilitating pilots’ monitoring performance2
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2021
Optimising the appearance and design of stairs to reduce falls risk in older adults, The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Issue 67 Spring 20213
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2021
Gaze and walking and how they impact on balance, The Care Home Environment4
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2018
Professional Memberships
Associate Fellow of Advance HE
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Present - 2021
International Society of Posture & Gait Research (post-doc)
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Present - 2019
European College of Sport Science (student)
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2016 - 2015
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (student)
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2014 - 2013
Committee Memberships
Post-Graduate Representative for the University of Cumbria Research Ethics Committee
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2017 - 2016
Courses
3is Teacher Practice Programme, Liverpool John Moores University, 9–12 May
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2019
Successful Grant Applications, Dunhill Medical Trust, The Welcome Trust, 3 June
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2019
Routes to Impact, Dunhill Medical Trust, The Royal Society, 17 May
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2018
Referees
Prof. MA. Hollands (Post-doc Supervisor): Professor of Movement Neuroscience, Liverpool John Moores University, m.a.hollands@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr. S. Dewhurst (PhD Supervisor): Deputy Head of Department, Rehabilitation and Sport Sciences, Bournemouth University, sdewhurst@bournemouth.ac.uk
Publications
I regularly review for journals such as, Applied Ergonomics, Gait & Posture, Human Factors, Neuroscience Letters and PLoS One.
Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, & Foster RJ (2021) The next step in optimising the stair horizontal-vertical illusion: Does a perception-action link exist in older adults? Experimental Gerontology. 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111309
Thomas NM, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Carpenter MG, Maganaris N, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, & Hollands MA (2021) Influence of step-surface visual properties on confidence, anxiety, dynamic stability, and gaze behaviour in young and older adults Human Movement Science. 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102774
Thomas NM, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Carpenter MG, Maganaris N, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, & Hollands MA (2020) Optimal lighting levels for stair safety: Influence of lightbulb type and brightness on confidence, dynamic balance and stepping characteristics Experimental Gerontology. 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110839
Parr VP, Foster RJ, Wood G, Thomas NM, & Hollands MA. (2020) Children with developmental coordination disorder show altered visuomotor control during stair negotiation associated with heightened state-anxiety. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 14. 10.3389/fnhum.2020.5895024
Thomas NM, Donovan T, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. (2018) Visually fixating or tracking another person decreases balance control in young and older females walking in a real-world scenario. Neuroscience Letters. 11.677. 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.04.0386.
Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, Bampouras TM, Donovan T, Macaluso, A, & Vannozzi G. (2017) Smooth pursuits decrease balance control during locomotion in young and older healthy females. Experimental Brain Research. 235.9. 10.1007/s00221-017-4996-27.
Thomas NM, Bampouras TM, Donovan T, & Dewhurst S (2016) Eye movements affect postural control in young and older females Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00216
Thomas NM, (2016) Promoting and monitoring exercise among renal patients. Cumbria Partnership Journal of Research, Practice and Learning. 5.19.
Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. (2015) Homogeneity of fascicle architecture following repeated contractions in the human gastrocnemius medialis. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 25.6. 10.1016/j.jelekin.2015.08.007
In Review:
Bampouras T & Thomas NM. (December 2020) Validation of the SportLight LiDAR player tracking system in professional football. Sports Engineering
Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, & Foster RJ. (April 2021). Using a Stair Horizontal-Vertical Illusion to Increase Foot Clearance Over an Inconsistently Taller Stair-Riser. PLoS One.
In preparation:
Thomas NM, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Carpenter MG, Maganaris N, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, & Hollands MA. (Expected submission July 2021) Carrying loads on stairs: Implications for visual sampling, fear of falling and stepping safety.
Foster RJ & Thomas NM. (Expected submission July 2021) Markerless motion capture to evaluate joint angles during functional movements in healthy and clinical populations.
Thomas NM & Foster RJ. (Expected submission September 2021) A review of staircase design from a human factors perspective.
Skervin TK, Thomas NM et al. (Expected submission October 2021) Accuracy and Precision of a Novel Photogate System to Measure Foot Clearance on Stairs.
Conference Proceedings
Thomas NM & Bampouras TM. Validation of a LiDAR-based player tracking system during football-specific tasks. ISB Congress 2021
Thomas NM, Lees C, Maganaris N, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Skervin T, Baltzopoulos V, & Hollands MA. Lightbulb characteristics affect stepping biomechanics during stair descent in young and older adults. ISPGR world congress Edinburgh, UK, June 30–July 4, 2019
Thomas NM, Lees C, Maganaris N, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Skervin T, Baltzopoulos V, & Hollands MA. Low lighting drives more cautious stair descent in young adults. International Posture Symposium, Smolenice Castle, Slovakia, September 9–12, 2018
Thomas NM, Donovan T, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. Visually fixating or tracking another person decreases balance control in young and older females walking in a real-world scenario. International Posture Symposium, Smolenice Castle, Slovakia, September 9–12, 2018
Thomas NM, Donovan T, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. Eye movements affect postural control in young and older females, Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Vienna, Austria, July 6 – 9, 2016
Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. Promoting and monitoring exercise among renal patients. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust Research and Innovation Showcase, Preston, UK, November 2015
Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM. Homogeneity of fascicle architecture following repeated contractions in the human gastrocnemius medialis. BASES Student Conference, Portsmouth, UK, April 8 – 9, 2014
Links
- https://pupil-labs.com/blog/rd-developmental-coordination/
- https://pupil-labs.com/blog/rd-flight-deck-ui/
- https://www.bases.org.uk/sspage-resources-the_sport_and_exercise_scientist-view_tses_articles.html
- https://www.thecarehomeenvironment.com/story/25388/gaze-and-walking-and-how-they-impact-on-balance